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Dream-ofuro for Australia

How to describe this ofuro? It is roomy and well proportioned. The top frame “kamachi” gives it a sturdy, solid look. it is really the platonic archetype of a dream-bath.
As Australians may imagine, it is not easy to import a wooden tub in the country because of the strict customs regulations and required inspections.
But our forwarder knows the procedures, and we provided the required certifications so everything went thru smoothly.

The tub is made in Hinoki wood AB grade (quarter sawn)
Option: slanted back.
Dimensions are: L1485mm x W880mm x H680mm (ext. dim.) 600mm(deep)
Finishing: copper apron, wooden dowels. Iron brand at front top-right
Here are other shots of the front side and candid interior!

Bartok design featured on DWELL

Big news: 3 of our tubs have been featured on DWELL
http://www.dwell.com/post/slideshow/all-about-japanese-soaking-tubs#5

wabisabi featured on Tokyo TV

Wabisabi Culture (a japanese style ryokan and meditation center in central Italy) and their large Bartok design ofuro have been featured on Tokyo TV!
The ofuro footage starts at around 2:20 on the video below:

Squarish tub for Canada

At first, the client contacted us directly, then his very professional and constructive builder took the baton and we worked out with them the installation and shipping issues.
The current legislation in Canada does not allow private parties to import goods.
The consignee needs to be a corporation.

The tub is made in Hinoki wood AB grade (quarter sawn)
We were asked to build it with squared corners, so we used thicker planks (43mm) as per our “sharp corners option”. This also allowed us to skip the top frame border which would be otherwise required for a tub which width exceeds 750mm.

Dimensions are: L1207mm x W953mm x H699mm (ext. dim.) 584mm(deep)
Finishing: natural oil apron, wooden dowels. Iron brand at front top-right
The tub is equipped with a wood step stool 660 x 254 x H305mm in coordinated Hinoki wood.

perfect timing to buy an ofuro

In case you did not notice it, the dollar and euro are gaining value over the yen.
Today, one dollar buys you almost 91 yen, it was 78 yen/dollar six months ago.
In few words, if you purchase a japanese bathtub now you can save about 20% compared to the price you would have payed in summer 2012.
Is the yen weakness going to last? We do not know, anyway the boost of exports and the planned increase of the sales tax (from 5% to 8% in 2014 and 10% in 2015) create the premises for demand increase which can boost the economy and generate a flow of capitals towards the japanese stock market.

Is the yen going back to 78 yen per dollar? Again nobody can say it, but it is likely that it is going to stabilize to a medial value for the months to come.
If you are planning to buy an ofuro, this may be the chance you were waiting for…!

tomato salad

Do you know the ingredients for a good tomato salad?
Of course tomatoes. Then dressing?
Or layer with mozzarella cheese and top with oil and oregano?
You can also enjoy tomatoes with onion and tuna, or garlic and feta cheese.
But we have our own favorite recipe: cut tomatoes.

Did you know that italians call tomatoes “pomodoro”, literally golden pommel.
It is often used as a symbol of the energy of the sun, which makes it grow, shining and red.
We invite you to try to enjoy these simple, sincere tomatoes “nature”: with an oriental touch.

How does it work?

Find some medium size cherry tomato, not too ripe and not too green.
Then cut them on a hinoki wood cutting board.
Let it on the board for few minutes, so the tomato can absorb the delicate forest scent of the hinoki wood
Add few granes of marine salt

ENJOY!

twin tubs for NY

As in the title, we were requested to produce two tubs with accessories.

Asnaro wood tub AB grade
Dimensions are: L1300mm x W750mm x H640 mm (ext. dim.) 560mm (deep)
The tubs are equipped with a stool a bucket in coordinated asnaro wood.

Inside this tub all you can touch is warm wood and soothing water…!

tubs and accessories for a singapore spa

UPDATE: by popular demand, here is the information to reach the spa in Singapore where our tubs are located and give it a try!

IKEDA SPA – website: http://www.ikedaspa.com/treatments/signature
The big hinoki + small hinoki are at Clarke Quay outlet
The small hinoki is at Bukit Timah outlet
You can also contact IKEDA SPA and ask for their Onsen Hinoki Bath

This time we received the order from a commercial spa.
Apparently, the client was following us and our activity on the homepage for few years and since their are opening a new branch, contacted us for the supply of 3 mid size tubs (suitable for 2 people) and one large tub for 6 people.

We supplied different quotations and updated the proposal according to the design and layout changes that were coordinated between the client and his architect. As the date of the installation was nearing, we did not have the approved drawings…
Of course, important decisions should not be rushed. On the other end from our side, while waiting for a 100% satisfactory layout, we started to assort the material for the job.
We obtained the OK and since we worked also during the holiday period, we managed to ship about 10 days before schedule after all..!

After a long day of work in this cold season, washing away the sweat and fatigue in a steamy soaking tub is one of the best pleasures on earth!

2 person Hinoki wood AB grade tub (3 pieces)
Dimensions are: L1400mm x W1200mm x H558mm (ext. dim.) 471mm (deep)

6 person Hinoki wood AB grade tub (1 piece)
Dimensions are: L2400mm x W1700mm x H570mm (ext. dim.) 483mm (deep)

4 spouts in AB grade hinoki and
Wainscoting in knotty hinoki planks (L2000 x W105 x t12mm)

happy new year!

From the land of the rising sun, we could see the beginning of 2013 before most of the other countries. And, despite the uncertainty of this period, we had the clear impression that it will be a DELICIOUS new year!

We would like to participate our warmest wishes to all our japan loving friends all over the world!

barrel type ofuro for England

This tub was shipped to England, it is expected to arrive on december 24th.
I hope it will make a nice Christmas present!

Asnaro wood tub AB grade – barrel type
Dimensions are: L1200mm x W630mm
The tub is equipped with lid, spout and bathroom accessories

Custom shape spout:

Tub from the back side:

And here is the pristine interior of the tub. Of course there is no paint or coating. The shine is the product of the perfect work of the hand plane only!